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Topic: Front License Plate Bracket (Read 3430 times) previous topic - next topic

Front License Plate Bracket

The Peoples' Soviet Socialist Republic of Maryland requires a front license plate for the front of my car, so I am heading to my local junkyard to locate a license plate bracket for the front of my '83 T-Bird.  Does anyone know the range of models and years that this bracket may fit?  Thanks!

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #1 –
Head over to the parts store . The help section has one that looks identical to the one on my 84 t-bird Tc. I think it is priced at $12.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #2 –
OK, if you're going factory original, then you'd be looking for 1983-86 Thunderbirds and Cougars. It is metal. If you want a plastic one, look for a Fox Mustang or Tempo. The brackets require minor tpuppies on the bottom but the mounting holes usually line up perfectly with the ones already in your bumper cover. I say "usually" because there seems to have been a few revisions on the Mustang ones; sometimes the holes are further apart. Anyway, there you go. I haven't tried the Help! bracket mentioned.

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #3 –
I did forget to mention that the one in  the help section is a metal one. It has the rolled up edges so that you can only put the plate in from the top. The part number on the plate holder is 68148 that is the HELP/Dorman part number.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #4 –
Thanks!  I did find one at the junkyard off an '83 Cougar.  It's a little on the harsh side though.  I was wondering about the holes you mentioned.  The bumper cover on my T-Bird does not have any holes in it.  I hate to put a front plate on it, but I guess I don't have much of a choice.  I looked underneath the car to see if there is someway to line up the bracket, but I can't see anything to line this thing up.  Any suggestions short of X-ray vision?  Thanks!

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #5 –
When I bought my '84 T-Bird new I am pretty sure it didn't have any holes before they put the front plate holder on. The dealer didn't put them on until they sold the car.

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #6 –
Yeah, there are no holes in the bumper. I had to make my own holes on the '86 (was a Delaware car) :(

Off topic, are you driving the T-Bird daily? If not, you should put historic tags on it.

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #7 –
How about the old "put it in the window" trick? I see tons of people in MD who just shove it in there (front and/or back) and go on their merry way. But I guess it is good to be a little more responsible :D
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #8 –
I thought about the window trick, but that just draws additional attention. 

Regarding the historic tags, the car has to be 25 years old to qualify.  T-Bird's 24.  I put historic tags on my ZX.  Kind of nice.  No state inspection required.  That's why you see all those beater trucks and rusted out hulks roaring around Maryland with historic plates.

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #9 –
Quote from: OgreBird;126204
Regarding the historic tags, the car has to be 25 years old to qualify.
OR... 20yrs and a discontinued model which the T-Bird is:D

Quoted from MVA website FAQ section...

Quote
Does my vehicle qualify for historic or street rod plates?

Historic:

    * The vehicle is 25 calendar years or older and has not been substantially altered, remodeled, or remanufactured from its original construction, or
    * The vehicle is between 20 and 24 model years old and is a model, of which the manufacturer produced 1,000 or fewer models for that year, as verified by the manufacturer (supporting documentation required). The vehicle has not been substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from its original construction, or
    * The vehicle is between 20 and 24 model years old and is a make that the manufacturer no longer produces, as verified by the manufacturer (supporting documentation required). It is not substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from it original construction.

It is also stated on the application form for the historic/street rod plates.

I'll be getting them on my '86 when I get it on the road this spring and my '88 next January. Especially since the only driving the '88 has done in the past year was to and from emissions.

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #10 –
I was under the impression it had to be 25 years or older.  Thanks for the clarification.  I will look into the Historic tags this week.

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #11 –
Quote
supporting documentation required


I wonder what counts as documentation... ?
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #12 –
Okay, now I'm starting to doubt myself. :sorry:

Now this is typical Maryland lingo that gets all screwed up.
It says 20 and 24 model years old and is a make that the manufacturer no longer produces.

They do say make, not model. Now I'm wondering if to qualify, if it would have to mean that Ford Motor Company(manufacturer) no longer builds Fords(make). As opposed to the Thunderbird(model).
Know what I mean?

If that is the case, then Andrew and I are going to be upset as we're both waiting to put historics on our '88s.

Supporting documentation has me wondering a bit. How about a printout off their website of their vehicle line-up :hick:

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #13 –
Quote from: 5.0willgo;126246
They do say make, not model. Now I'm wondering if to qualify, if it would have to mean that Ford Motor Company(manufacturer) no longer builds Fords(make). As opposed to the Thunderbird(model).


Awwwww . Off to buy a 20-year-old Oldsmobile...

But at the rate Ford is losing money...hmmmm ;) There IS a silver lining!!!!

Hey Ogre (hehehe, no offense), let us know what you find. I think Fred's and my sanity are both riding on this.
1984 Cougar Convertible
1988 Cougar XR-7

Front License Plate Bracket

Reply #14 –
Quote from: 4thqtr;126248

Hey Ogre (hehehe, no offense), let us know what you find. I think Fred's and my sanity are both riding on this.


Exactly, if I can't get those tags, I'm going to start trailering my car to emissions.